Harmony in healing: Dr. Josh Lamb’s musical approach to medicine

In the harmonious world of Dr. Josh Lamb, the sounds of clanging electric guitars, screaming Hammond organs and crashing cymbals aren’t just a backdrop — they’re integral to both healing and bonding.  

Whether it’s jamming to the age-old classics from The Grateful Dead or the eclectic rhythms of Leftover Salmon, each day in the operating room features a unique soundtrack. One day, physician assistant Alex Miller chooses the reggae jams of Bob Marley and the Wailers. Another day, physician assistant Jess Thiry queues up ’80s-era big-hair ballads from Whitney Houston and Cher. To keep things eclectic, the Roper Hospital OR used to rock to “Pitbull Fridays.” 

“One of the best things about Dr. Lamb is there’s obviously a hierarchy, but he doesn’t make it feel like that,” Miller says. “He’s like: ‘We’re all in this together.’” 

Dr. Lamb’s integration of music into surgical procedures exemplifies Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s mission of “healing all people with compassion, faith and excellence.” His approach not only soothes patients but also enhances team dynamics, aligning with the system’s commitment to cultivate a culture of engagement and pioneer patient-centered care. 

He uses these musical sessions not only to set the pace of his surgeries but also to strengthen the connection with the OR staff. 

“I find music is a fun way to connect with the team,” Dr. Lamb shares. “It’s always interesting to see what others are into musically.” 

And if sharing music is “definitely Dr. Lamb’s love language,” as Thiry describes, then patients are the beneficiaries as well. As they’re rolled into surgery and before they close their eyes, Dr. Lamb asks them what song they want to hear—something that puts them at ease. 

His passion for live music, especially jam bands known for their musical exploration and fluidity, took root in his teenage years in Savannah, Georgia. As an eighth grader, he transformed an old carriage house in his backyard into his personal retreat, where rock bands with lengthy song renditions fueled his youth. 

Music and medicine have always gone hand in hand for Dr. Lamb. After attending medical school at Johns Hopkins University and completing his orthopedic residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, he formed a bond with Dr. Patrick Murray, a hip and knee surgeon at Roper St. Francis Healthcare. Along with physician assistant Brett Boring and orthopedic sales consultant Trip Tanner, they formed the local band Big Boned — playing on the adage, “He’s not overweight; he’s just big boned.” 

“On X-rays, everyone’s bones look the same,” Dr. Lamb often jokes. 

But Dr. Lamb’s talents extend beyond the OR and stage. Around 2011, he and his wife, an anesthesiologist, spent a year with Partners in Health in Rwanda, teaching orthopedics, training local providers and performing surgeries — mission work that underscores his profound commitment to care. 

Drawn to Charleston by Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s ethos of caring “for all people who need care,” Dr. Lamb’s expertise was crucial during a personal crisis involving the wife of Andy Lyons, director of Corporate Communications and Content Strategy at Roper St. Francis Healthcare. With her in dire straits from a broken ankle in Grenada, Dr. Lamb, 2,000 miles away, confidently assured Lyons over the phone after reviewing her X-rays, “I can fix this.” 

“I cried when he said that” Lyons recalls, “and ‘fix it’ he did.” 

Lyons added that what’s most remarkable about Dr. Lamb is his bedside manner. He knew that Andy and Renee Lyons enjoy live music, so he harnessed that interest to motivate Renee to look forward to getting back on her feet and start attending rock shows again. His optimism about Renee Lyons attending the High Water Festival (boot and scooter included) brought hope, and although she opted out, his confidence made future concert outings to see favorites like Dave Matthews and Dead and Co. possible. 

This experience, as Lyons notes, highlighted the special bond between doctor, patient and their loved ones. Dr. Chris McLain, Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s chief clinical officer, also experienced Dr. Lamb’s expert care firsthand after a slip led to a fractured fibula. “This bond begins with an understanding of the injury and the path to healing, reinforced by trust and culminating in a successful outcome,” Dr. McLain explains. 

It turns out, Dr. Lamb’s ability to leverage music to forge connections works inside and outside the OR. 

“He and the team that I work with and the culture that he fosters among us is what keeps me coming back to work,” Thiry, the physician assistant, says. 

Whether healing bones, sharing tunes or talking music, Dr. Lamb’s approach to medicine is not just clinical — it’s personal and profoundly human.